The United National Transport Union (Untu) has threatened to strike if Transnet does not bring an improved wage offer to the table.

The union and the parastatal are currently locked in wage negotiations and while they have not reached an agreement yet, Transnet is offering a 6.5% increase which was slammed by Untu who are seeking a 12% salary increase each year for the next three years.

Eye Witness News (EWN) on Sunday reported that Transnet was offering a 6.5 % increase for 2018, 7.25% for 2019 and 8% for 2020, with no increase in medical aid and housing allowance.

Untu general secretary Steve Harris told EWN that bosses have until mid-January to come up with an improved offer or face a national strike.

“We’ll get a mandate first and if that fails, we’ll declare the dispute in terms of legislation. We will ask the conciliator to issue a certificate of non-resolution. That will give us an opportunity to go on a legal strike.

Further demands

Untu is also demanding a further 2% salary increase each year for those employees earning less than R100 000 per year.

“Labour is demanding that Transnet increase its contribution to employee’s medical aid and to their housing allowance to R1 790 for 2018/2019, R2 500 for 2019/2020 and R3 500 for 2020/2021,”the union said in a statement.

It added: “All other allowances paid by Transnet must increase by 12% each year for the next three years.

“Labour wants the Funeral Cover that Transnet Employees enjoy, to continue after the retirement of employees, but to the cost of Transnet. Transnet must increase its current contribution to employee’s medical aid after retirement from the current R213 to R500 for 2018/2019 and thereafter with 12% each year.”